Ukraine vs England

Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland, is the venue as Ukraine and England lock horns in an exciting Euro 2024 qualifier.

Despite entering September’s international break as runners-up in Euro 2024 qualifying Group C, Ukraine’s quest to reach a fourth consecutive final tournament is still up in the air. After a 2-0 defeat at England in their opening qualifying fixture, Serhiy Rebrov’s men have racked up back-to-back one-goal margin wins over North Macedonia and Malta to move three points clear of third-placed Italy. But with the Italians having a game in hand, another poor result against England could see the Ukrainians slide down the standings. Since a 1-0 home victory in 2009, they haven’t just gone winless in all five subsequent H2Hs (D2, L3) but failed to get on the scoresheet on four occasions. On a more positive note, they’ve not lost any of their 13 matches as nominal hosts since October 2020 (W8, D5).

Unlike Ukraine, England’s pursuit of a fourth successive Euro finals qualification couldn’t have started any better. The visitors have won all four Euro 2024 qualifying fixtures by an aggregate score of 15-1, most recently dismantling North Macedonia 7-0 at Wembley Stadium in June. Already six points clear of second-placed Ukraine at the halfway stage of their qualifying campaign, the ‘Three Lions’ ought to take the field in a buoyant mood, especially considering it’s been over 300 minutes of football since they last conceded a goal. But falling behind could knock Gareth Southgate’s high-flyers off their perch, given that they’ve won none of their last six internationals when capitulating first (D2, L4).